KUALA LUMPUR: The local media reported that the fast food chain’s alleged ties to Israel caused the closures. KFC Malaysia has temporarily closed its locations around the nation, claiming difficult economic conditions.
Malaysia, a country with a sizeable Muslim population, is a devoted supporter of the Palestinian cause. Like in some other Muslim countries, boycott movements against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza have targeted certain Western fast-food brands there.
QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd, the company that runs the KFC and Pizza Hut franchises in Malaysia, announced that it has temporarily closed its KFC locations “due to difficult economic circumstances.”
“QSR Brands and KFC Malaysia has taken proactive measures to close outlets temporarily to manage increasing business costs and focus on high engagement trade zones,” the company said in a statement issued late Monday. The statement did not mention the media reports.
Although the number of affected stores was not stated, over 100 were reportedly temporarily closed, according to local media. According to QSR Brands, workers from the impacted stores could move to locations with better customer interaction.
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